Of all the arts of Korea, ceramics have received the most attention from scholars and collectors outside the peninsula and celadon wares in particular have been highly admired. They are praised for their outstanding beauty as reflected in their glazes, forms and elegant decorations. First produced during the Koryŏ period (AD 935-1392), they reached the peak of their perfection in technology, form and decoration in the 12th century.

Decorative techniques range from carved, incised and moulded designs to painting with iron-brown, copper-red and slip (clay thinned with water). However, the most frequently used technique is that of inlay, for which Koryŏ celadon wares are famous. The method was an independent achievement by Koryŏ craftsmen and became widespread in the 12th century. The technique is believed to have come from metal and lacquer wares on which it had been used several centuries earlier. The method of inlay is as follows: first the motif is carved into the clay body, and the resulting grooves are covered with black or white slip. Excess slip is scraped off and the piece is then partially fired. Thereafter glaze is applied and the piece is fired again. After firing the design is clearly visible underneath the thin, translucent glaze.